At the Peak of its Powers – Calke Abbey
Luxurious tourist destinations… All over the world there are some amazing backdrops, resorts and mountainous views which attract tourists from all over the world. If you’re thinking of heading over to the UK or around the world, ancient venues which are steeped in history should definitely be on your to-do list. Here, for our readers who are thinking of visiting the UK, we have selected one of the best National Trust venues to consider when planning your trip.
There’s an enormous amount going for UK tourism: most notably countryside settings between Derbyshire’s Dales; a beach of Oak Trees with public footpaths stretching around the area; outstanding views and hikes. If the UK Midlands is one of your destination picks, take a look around the beautiful countryside, with striking venues located in Derbyshire.
Whenever someone mentions Derbyshire, the first thought is the Peak District. The distant hills, looming over you as the backdrop of a truly wonderful countryside. Home to famous countryside resorts and beautiful manors, Derbyshire attracts tourists from all over the world.
Of all the historic locations and beautiful backdrops, I fell in love with one of the most beautiful English Country Houses around… Calke Abbey. Located in Ticknall, Derbyshire, Calke Abbey has a striking beauty and this 18th century home provides a truly mesmerising view and experience. With long public footpaths and trails around the grounds of this amazing location, this is certainly a recommended trip.
If you’re in the Midlands or fancy a trip to the Peak District, make sure Calke Abbey is one of your stops. There’s a whole host of events always on show at Calke Abbey with the ever popular Mooch with your Pooch event.
What do you get?
When visiting Calke Abbey, you have the option to walk around the scenic and spacious grounds, or you can go inside the Abbey itself and be greeted by enthusiastic tour guides. The guides love their history and possess a real flair for selling stories which really brings the venue to life. Some of the guides have been around for nearly 8 years and this is a testament to how well run the place is.
What is inside?
When you walk in, the first thing that captures your imagination is the flooring. Around the Abbey itself, there is peeling paintwork and overgrown courtyards, as pointed out by the National Forest, but despite little restoration, the flooring has survived. When you walk into Calke Abbey the first thing you notice is the immaculate and hardwearing flooring, it’s a world away from vinyl flooring you might find elsewhere.
You can walk slowly around the grounds and also inside, viewing an old house which tells the story of a decline of an enthusiastic family.
When is best to go?
Honestly, the venue is wonderful, and it is recommended that you go at any time of year. In fact, you should go in both the Summer and Winter seasons to understand the truly magnificent beast that is Calke Abbey.
In the cold and snowy Winter, you can get inspired by the true beauty of nature. Along with the ancient trees and the glistening ice lakes shining bright like a diamond, there are plenty of show-stopping views around the area.
Is it pet-friendly?
Yes. Find out how you can enjoy the wonderful opportunities and avenues to explore with Calke Abbey by checking out the National Trust website. If you’ve got a young family, a big family or even a dog who just loves walking, this place is certainly worth a visit.
Our favourite trail
Listed on the National Trust website, we decided to follow the Reflections trail at Calke Abbey. It really stood out to us as something we would like to get stuck into and to be honest, it was the best decision we ever made. When walking the trail, you are able to get a real insight into the beautiful views which make Derbyshire such a sought-after destination! We won’t ruin the 3.8km walk for you, go try it yourself. You will not be disappointed.
